Ignored and in silence, rice and water turn murky and rancid over time. The same is true of employees.
Tag: praise
Love & Marriage…and Work!
It’s easy to fall in love with a person or job that’s perfect, which, like unicorns, don’t exist. So maybe you should just focus on being your best. Period.
Can You Coach As Well As A 12 Year Old?
As a child, I wanted to play hockey like Bobby Hall, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito, and other Chicago Blackhawks. And when I say I wanted to “play hockey” I mean, of course, that I wanted to hit other guys with my fists and then club them with a hard slab of wood. It’s a guy…
Are You a Predictable Leader?
Some events are very predictable.When I was a kid, one of the surest signs that I was ready to catch some grief from my mom was her not-so-subtle inclusion of my middle name when she summoned me. When I was in school, I could usually tell I was in trouble when the teacher would add the formal-sounding “Mister” in front of my last name. In the history dating, the phrase “We have to talk” has never signaled the beginning of a big, fat, happy surprise. And if you’re a manager, if the first though an employee has when you call for a one-on-one meeting is, “Crap. I’m in trouble”… there’s a good chance that you’re a BOSS, not a LEADER.
The Lady in my Smart Phone has a Thing for Me…
Human evolution can’t keep pace with the evolution in technology. Humans appeared in the Stone Age 2.5 million years ago, and we still look and act pretty much the same. Contrast that to the telephone that, in less than 15o years, has gone from fixed, hard-wired devices requiring 1.5 billion miles of cable in the US alone to wireless, anywhere/anytime capabilities. Has the time come when technology can provide better leadership than humans?
Little Fiat Syndrome
We often fail to recognize our strengths, either because we make false comparisons between ourselves and others, or we try to copy the talents that others possess. In truth, when we practice our own strengths, it’s likely that others become envious of us.
Engagement Via Appreciation
Engagement doesn’t require expensive programs, and you don’t even need to have the word leader in your title to spread engagement to others. All that is required for you to ignite passion in others is for you to become the light by demonstrating appreciation. It’s simple, free, and powerful. It happens when you express interest, thanks, awe, praise, or just attention to others. People will follow you around as if you were the Sun, and they shining plants in your garden.
Starting the Week Off Right
Monday can set the tone for the whole week. So when the preschool worker this morning had a little tone in her voice as we dropped off Sierra, it got me thinking. Monday’s often follow tiring weekends where we either try to pack in as much fun as possible, or we play catch-up on all…
Encouragement: What the World Needs Now…
I’m going to divulge a man secret, a secret that makes men strong and self reliant. Little has been written about this, and you’ll know why in just a moment. Ready? MEN DON’T NEED ENCOURAGEMENT, MEN DON’T NEED PRAISE. Men don’t need to hear “You look nice today.” Men get no pleasure from hearing “I…
Defeating Discouragement
A few months ago, I gathered with a few former colleagues to catch up as well as revisit old times. When we had worked together years before, our roles frequently put us in the spotlight. Unlike some jobs where you can either fail or succeed in utter anonymity, our job performance was witnessed by every…